Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38236326›Full record

SynthesisInfection2024

Risk factors for herpes zoster infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis unveiling common trends and heterogeneity patterns.

Maren Steinmann, David Lampe, John Grosser, Juliana Schmidt, Marla Louise Hohoff, Anita Fischer, Wolfgang Greiner

Open access · hybridAbstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Infection, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 55 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
55citing papers in PubMed, 5 pooled it
22.8field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

55 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 59 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Global herpes zoster burden in adults with COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis.European respiratory review : an official journal of the European Respiratory Society · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Maren SteinmannDepartment of Health Economics and Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany. maren.steinmann@uni-bielefeld.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0350-360X
David LampeDepartment of Health Economics and Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3400-0861
John GrosserDepartment of Health Economics and Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3890-5596
Juliana SchmidtDepartment of Health Economics and Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1828-5636
Marla Louise HohoffDepartment of Health Economics and Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.
Anita FischerDepartment of Health Economics and Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.
Wolfgang GreinerDepartment of Health Economics and Health Care Management, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9552-6969
Bielefeld University · DE

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThe burden of herpes zoster (HZ) is substantial and numerous chronic underlying conditions are known as predisposing risk factors for HZ onset. Thus, a comprehensive study is needed to synthesize existing evidence. This study aims to comprehensively identify these risk factors.

methodsA systematic literature search was done using MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science for studies published from January 1, 2003 to January 1, 2023. A random-effects model was used to estimate pooled Odds Ratios (OR). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I

resultsOf 6392 considered records, 80 were included in the meta-analysis. 21 different conditions were identified as potential risk factors for HZ: asthma, autoimmune disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, chronic heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), depression, diabetes, digestive disorders, endocrine and metabolic disorders, hematological disorders, HIV, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), mental health conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological disorders, psoriasis, renal disorders, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and transplantation. Transplantation was associated with the highest risk of HZ (OR = 4.51 (95% CI [1.9-10.7])). Other risk factors ranged from OR = 1.17-2.87, indicating an increased risk for all underlying conditions. Heterogeneity was substantial in all provided analyses. Sensitivity analyses showed comparable results regarding the pooled effects and heterogeneity.

conclusionsThis study showed an increased risk of HZ infections for all identified factors.

Indexed as

Herpes ZosterHumansRisk FactorsHerpes zosterMeta-analysisMeta-regressionRandom-effects modelRisk factorsSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID38236326
PMCPMC11142967
OpenAlexW4390978742

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.